LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (RFD NEWS) —Weather and moisture levels are forcing tough decisions for Arkansas grain producers, especially when it comes to maintaining grain quality after harvest. At the University of Arkansas, researchers are working to help farmers reduce waste and get more value out of their crops.
UArk Assistant Professor and Grain Processing Engineer Kaushik Luthra says the goal is to minimize waste.
“For food processing or grain processing, we are trying to reduce waste,” he explains. “We are trying to add value to our grains.”
Luthra notes that this is a process many people do not fully understand, with factors such as harvest timing, grain bin management, and temperature checks. He says engineers closely monitor how moisture varies with weather conditions and how that affects grain quality and overall value.
“I can investigate for them or provide them recommendations on what type of rice is actually going to work for your product,” he continues.
That kind of research is becoming more important as losses add up. An analysis from the University of Arkansas shows farmers across the state could lose hundreds of dollars each year due to grain waste, with cotton taking the biggest hit.
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